Siobhan MacGowan's 'The Graces' is a captivating tale about a young girl who possesses a unique gift that sets her apart. It is set in Dublin in 1918 and revolves around Rosaleen Moore, also known as The Rose. Her prophetic abilities and healing powers have made her a revered figure, and her final prophecy enhances her legendary status, drawing pilgrims to her shrine.
The plot is skillfully crafted and keeps the reader engrossed. MacGowan's evocative descriptions of Dublin bring the city to life, immersing the reader in its sights, sounds, and smells. The characters are intricate and believable, and the story has unexpected twists and turns.
The story's central mystery relates to a crime committed at St. Kilian's Abbey and the imprisonment of the monastery's Abbot. However, Moore's deathbed revelation casts doubt on the Abbot's confession, leading to an even more profound mystery. The themes of prophecy, healing, and redemption are handled with sensitivity and nuance, resulting in a highly satisfying read.
MacGowan's prose is poetic, drawing the reader into the enchantment of her words. Overall, The Graces is a beautifully written novel that showcases MacGowan's storytelling abilities. It is a world that will stay with you long after you finish reading it, making it a must-read for fans of historical fiction, mysteries, and expert storytelling.

I found Siobhan MacGowan’s first novel, The Trial of Lotta Rae, a very powerful, emotional read and I was hoping for something similar from her new book, The Graces. I’m pleased to say that I thought this one was even better.

The novel opens on an August evening in 1918, as a group of pilgrims make their way to the bell tower of Mount St Kilian Abbey in Dublin. As Brother Thomas and Father Sheridan watch the candlelit procession weaving through the trees below the abbey, they remember the woman to whom the pilgrims are paying homage – Rosaleen Moore, known as The Rose, who died just three years earlier. On her deathbed, Rosaleen revealed a terrible secret to Father Sheridan, something which has left him so disturbed he decides to discuss it with Brother Thomas tonight.

In a series of long flashbacks, Rosaleen’s story unfolds, beginning with her childhood in rural County Clare, where she first discovers that, like her grandmother, she has been ‘touched by the Graces’ and is blessed – or cursed – with the sight. When her gift gets her into trouble in the village, she is sent away to live with an aunt in Dublin. Here she finds herself befriended by a group of spiritualists and healers who encourage her to use her special talents to help others. However, Rosaleen will learn that meddling in things she doesn’t fully understand is not a good idea and could have disastrous results.

The Graces is a fascinating, moving story, exploring the clashes between superstition and science and the consequences of thinking we know best. It reminded me of Hannah Kent’s The Good People and Emma Donoghue’s The Wonder, which have similar themes and are also set in Ireland, but although it’s bleak at times, the book is also very gripping and leaves you with a lot to think about after reaching the final page. Rosaleen herself is not always an easy character to like – her arrogance leads her to make poor decisions and I was disappointed in the role she plays in a love triangle with two different men, Lorcan and Rian – but I could still have sympathy with her situation because the whole thing is so desperately sad.

Away from the central plot, the political developments in early 20th century Ireland also form an important part of the story. Rosaleen is in Dublin during the time of the Easter Rising, the formation of the Cumann na mBan (an Irish republican women’s paramilitary group) and the move towards independence. Through her relationship with Lorcan, who is involved in all of these things, Rosaleen is exposed to new ideas and new ways of thinking, but she doesn’t fully embrace them herself and feels caught in the middle between two extreme views.

Having enjoyed both of Siobhan MacGowan’s novels (although I always feel that ‘enjoyed’ isn’t quite the right word to use with this sort of book), I’m already hoping for a third!

This is a fascinating story about mesmerists in Ireland over 100 years ago. This is a movement I knew nothing about and also the history of Ireland at that time was new to me.

The story centres around Rosaleen (Rose) who has the gift of second sight, she is able to foretell tragedies and feel other's pain. This leads her to leaving her small, suspicious, village to move to Dublin where she falls in love with the city and falls in with the Mesmerists. Along the way Rose becomes a healer with them, and falls in love with one of the group but when tragedy hits and there's a death which the group blame themselves for, the impact of their actions hit home.

Thank you NetGalley and Welbeck Publishing UK for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Once again, MacGowan has written a gripping historical novel. Set in Ireland in the 1910s, Rosaleen has the gift. In an emotional plot, with an incredibly compelling narrative, I could not put this book down. The second-half of the book had my emotions all over the place - the language used really creates a connection between the reader and the characters. I can’t wait to read Siobhan MacGowan’s future books, she is a master of literature.

I was instantly drawn to the book by the cover and couldn't wait to read it. The writing is superb and from the first line I was transported to Ireland in the early 1900's. I was completely enthralled and couldn't put it down.

A fascinating, atmospheric and dark historical fiction that mixes historical and gothic elements.
Set in a historical moment when science and tradition clashes, when medicine is still for well to do and a lot of children die.
I was hooked since the beginning and loved this story.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Another great book from Siobhán MacGowan. I loved The Trial of Lotta Rae so I was eagerly anticipating this book. I enjoyed it immensely, hugely absorbing. Set against the backdrop of Ireland's fight for independence with real-life characters such as Yeats and Markiewicz. Loved it.

This book had me hooked from the start, and I couldn't put it down. Set around the early years of the 20th century in Ireland. Where healers were more common than expensive modern medicine. Where manslaughter charges brought if a child dies and modern medicine wasn't sought to help.

I absolutely loved this book. I loved the backstory of Rosaleen, Rose, and the explanation of The Graces. I was quite interested in the way the healers worked. I found this really fascinating.

Woven seamlessly in between was the shift in change of Ireland and the beginning of its independent rule and changing to the Republic of Ireland. It was very moving.

I just loved everything about this book. I often earmark books I want to read again on audiobook, and this is on that list.

When I read that this book was for fans of Stacey Halls and Laura Purcell, I knew it was one that I needed to read! I was not disappointed- a poignant, enthralling and original historical story that kept me reading late into the night. I urge anyone who enjoys well written historical fiction with a touch of magic to read and enjoy this one. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for allowing me to review this advance copy.

Dublin,
1918. Rosaleen The Rose. A seer and a healer.
Revered within the Mesmerist circles, she was acclaimed for her gifts of prophecy and healing amongst Dublin's fashionable society. But the shocking realisation of her last extraordinary prophecy will see her famed throughout the city.One summer night at Mount St Kilian Abbey, Brother Thomas watches a candlelit procession of pilgrims, come to walk the Way of the Rose on the anniversary of their idol's death. Now a shrine, the bell tower has seen tragedy - one that others would only whisper of.Then, a padre arrives at the Abbey and reveals the deathbed confession that Rosaleen Grace made to him three years before. The tragedy of what occurred at the bell tower is well known, but this reveals an even greater horror - a heinous crime to which St.
Kilian's once-beloved Abbot, now imprisoned, has confessed. But the Rose has a different tale to tell.
Never to be spoken of. Never to be revealed.
This was so dark, gothic and completely immersive. The writing was sumptuous while the story flowed so well that once it got going I found it hard to put down.
The Rose has a confession to make before she dies, this goes in ways that surprise you and keep the mystery and suspense high all the way through the book. So well written with such dark but also modern elements, this will keep you reading and have you wonder what will happen next

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC